Teddy Bears Picnic

The last Saturday for 2016!  

Who is gathering today I wonder?

The Red Bow Brigade were seen sitting on the windowsill earlier today, but it appears Elfrid has misplaced his bow, that will not do.

Later on they are  spotted waiting patiently on the settee...why are they so well behaved I wonder?

A ha!  Her Ladyship Miss Alison is on the other side... she is THE ONE IN CHARGE!  

She is also waiting for the arrival of her friend Grace Buderim 

Ladies who lunch...

Quite stern ladies...not much gets past them!

Enjoying their 'picnic'!

Teddy Bears Picnic

Looking back through my 2011 photos I came across some photographs of two teddies I made.

The first was an unusual pattern in that it had no head gusset, so just two pieces sewn together so it gives him a slight 'odd' look.

The pattern was given away on a blog I follow.

The fabric used was from an old wool coat that used to belong to my husband's grandmother.

Another teddy that I made that year was 'Moonlight'

He too was made from up-cycled clothing, this time a kind of dressing gown/house coat that also belonged to my husband's grandmother.

I have more handmade teddies somewhere - I used to make a lot of soft toys 'in another life' when I lived in New Zealand when my older son was a baby.  But they must be tucked away in the deepest darkest recesses of the loft somewhere.  They will show up sometime next year as I endeavour to clear and sort said loft!

Teddy Bears Picnic

We seem to quite inadvertently started a collection of 'Mascot' (or places visited) bears.  

This started with a little bear from Brighton bought a few years ago.  Then a Cornish bear joined the family earlier this year.  While in the Isle of Wight in October we looked to see if we could find a similar one, but had no luck.  We also looked last week when we were visiting again, and again had no luck...until we were on the ferry home.  

This fellow was spotted in the shop on the ferry.  We were lucky to get the last one.

He has a nice snug 'hoodie' on.

A smiley face (part of the 'critieria') and his feet are embroidered as well.

Seems they are getting bigger in size!

These three bears sit on the window sill in our bedroom.  I am sure they have great conversations about their original homes when all is quiet in the house.

Teddy Bears Picnic

Yes it is the Teddy Bears Picnic today!

This week I am going to share this lovely bear that has been with me for a number of years now.  I found this lovely hand crafted bear in a local charity shop.

This lovely bear winds up and then plays The Teddy Bears Picnic. Just perfect for today!

The words to this were written by Jimmy Kennedy in 1932 and the music is by John W. Bratton in 1907.

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Ev'ry teddy bear who's been good

Is sure of a treat today.

There's lots of marvellous things to eat

And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better not go alone.

It's lovely down in the woods today

But safer to stay at home.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today

Watch them, catch them unawares

And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about

They love to play and shout;

They never have any care;

At six o'clock their mummies and daddies,

Will take them home to bed,

Because they're tired little teddy bears.

It is one our favourite pieces in the clarinet choir I used to play in as it features the contra alto clarinet and we all take a teddy along so that they can 'join in'. Yes it helps to be a bit mad!

Teddy Bears Picnic

I thought it might be fun to introduce the Teddy Bears that live here at Rose Cottage.  I have had teddy bears since I was a baby and still have my childhood panda, Peter, although he is a little worse for wear!  On Saturday's I am going to post some teddy bear pictures and write a little about them.

These are some of the small teddies that live here.  These keep us company in the dining room and live in this little 'cubby hole' in the dresser/wall unit.

Come on guys, face the front!

There that is better.

These four are the newest teddies and they have been here for only the last year I guess.

From left to right: Knitty, Honey, Valentine and Fuzz.  The are made by a Sasha friend, Lesley Shaw.

'Puzzle' is a Bramber Bear and came to me second hand via Evilbay.  He has been here about three years now I think. 

Bobby the puppy is also a 'Bramber Bear' and has been here about four years.

Little Jay is also a Bramber Bear and arrived in 2013.  

A little Hermann bear, currently with no name.

Lucille is another Bramber bear, and she just loves the outdoors.  She was given to me by a friend at the 2013 Sasha Festival I went to in the USA

Another little 'no name' bear.  

Both these two above have been here a number of years.

Rupert was a Wedding Anniversary present and was given to me by my husband in 2009.  He is a 'Vintage Magpie' creation and was made by a lady whose blog I used to follow.

This lovely teddy was my Nan's and is simply known as 'Nan's Ted'  He is very special.  I have no idea how old he is, or what make, but I believe he has mohair (?) fur and wood wool stuffing.

I have a big fondness for pandas, probably as my first ever teddy was one, and so have quite a few.

This is 'Mussel' and he was adopted at the Hatfield Craft Fair in 2002.

If anyone else wants to join in sharing their Teddy Bears, then let me know and I will see if I can work out how to set up one of those 'linky doo dah' things.